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Any suggestions on a mathematical way to decide whether you want to get an X, 8, or 8+?

Starfyre

Starfyre

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Nov 7, 2010
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For all you math nerds, geeks, or statisticians out there. Anyone have ideas on some mathematical method you can use to decide which phone you want to buy based on features, priorities, etc.? So far I've been very subjective in my decision making, creating lists of features and comparing them and using the Apple website. Is there some complex (or simple) mathematical way I can make these into numbers and model them to get some scoring to determine which phone I should actually buy based on numbers instead of general thinking?
 
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Lots of decision metrics out there. But you have to be able to assign a comparative numeric value to how important each issue is to you, and also to each candidate model's degree of fulfillment of that issue. No one can do that but you. And no model can do it for you - models only help you aggregate your numbers toward a decision.
 
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Overcomplicating it.

Make a list of prison and cons for each. Pick a winner
 
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Yeah so iPhone 8 is $700, iPhone X is $1000. ($700 / 8) < ($1000 / 10), so that proves iPhone 8 is a better value than iPhone X. But since iPhone X is the phone of the future, that $1000 is not in today's dollars, it's in 2023 dollars. At a 3% rate of inflation, that means iPhone X is a FAR better value than the 8! So buy the X, math doesn't lie.
 
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Starfyre said:
For all you math nerds, geeks, or statisticians out there. Anyone have ideas on some mathematical method you can use to decide which phone you want to buy based on features, priorities, etc.? So far I've been very subjective in my decision making, creating lists of features and comparing them and using the Apple website. Is there some complex (or simple) mathematical way I can make these into numbers and model them to get some scoring to determine which phone I should actually buy based on numbers instead of general thinking?
Click to expand...

Flip a 3 sided coin . . . uh, er, object.

eMail (or snail mail) Sheldon on Big Bang for an equation.
 
Starfyre said:
For all you math nerds, geeks, or statisticians out there. Anyone have ideas on some mathematical method you can use to decide which phone you want to buy based on features, priorities, etc.? So far I've been very subjective in my decision making, creating lists of features and comparing them and using the Apple website. Is there some complex (or simple) mathematical way I can make these into numbers and model them to get some scoring to determine which phone I should actually buy based on numbers instead of general thinking?
Click to expand...

I saw you’ve posted multiple threads on debating whether to get 8 or X. Don’t overthinking this, it’s not a mutual exclusive proposition especially with all the upgrade plans available.
 
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Starfyre said:
For all you math nerds, geeks, or statisticians out there. Anyone have ideas on some mathematical method you can use to decide which phone you want to buy based on features, priorities, etc.? So far I've been very subjective in my decision making, creating lists of features and comparing them and using the Apple website. Is there some complex (or simple) mathematical way I can make these into numbers and model them to get some scoring to determine which phone I should actually buy based on numbers instead of general thinking?
Click to expand...
Here’s a small program to help you decide...

if(small_phone > large_phone)
{
return iphone8;
}
else if(touch_id > face_id)
{
return iphone8++;
}
else
{
return iphonex;
}
 
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Starfyre said:
For all you math nerds, geeks, or statisticians out there. Anyone have ideas on some mathematical method you can use to decide which phone you want to buy based on features, priorities, etc.? So far I've been very subjective in my decision making, creating lists of features and comparing them and using the Apple website. Is there some complex (or simple) mathematical way I can make these into numbers and model them to get some scoring to determine which phone I should actually buy based on numbers instead of general thinking?
Click to expand...

Your post is not very clear and is very convoluted. But trying to gather what you're referring to, mathematically, it comes down to one thing, consumers should purchase what they can afford based on monthly income and debt ratio. It's that simple.
 
Starfyre said:
For all you math nerds, geeks, or statisticians out there. Anyone have ideas on some mathematical method you can use to decide which phone you want to buy based on features, priorities, etc.? So far I've been very subjective in my decision making, creating lists of features and comparing them and using the Apple website. Is there some complex (or simple) mathematical way I can make these into numbers and model them to get some scoring to determine which phone I should actually buy based on numbers instead of general thinking?
Click to expand...

Yep 8 64Gb cheapest :)
 
ok you seem quite obsessive compulsive from your threads...
you just HAVE TO prioritize your most needed feature that is different in every model.

for me it was size - so since i got a + model, i can never go down. not even for the X.
so i logically KNOW i have only one option until an X+ arrives.
my dilemma is whether to upgrade from a 6S+ or not.
but i certainly don't NEED to upgrade ;)

anyway, find your most important feature and ONLY focus by that.
 
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Starfyre said:
For all you math nerds, geeks, or statisticians out there. Anyone have ideas on some mathematical method you can use to decide which phone you want to buy based on features, priorities, etc.? So far I've been very subjective in my decision making, creating lists of features and comparing them and using the Apple website. Is there some complex (or simple) mathematical way I can make these into numbers and model them to get some scoring to determine which phone I should actually buy based on numbers instead of general thinking?
Click to expand...

You seems over excited, calm down. If you have Apple Watch open Breathe app and follow instructions.
 
Categorise this...

Do I want it?

Or

Do I need it?

Does it do anything better than what I have already?

Could that money be better spent elsewhere?
 
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